U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Wind Program

Mooring Technology for Floating Offshore Wind

Open Date: 11/28/2011

Close Date: 01/31/2012

Funding Organization: U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science

Summary:

Offshore wind mooring systems, including anchors, tendons and tendon connections, as well as mooring system installation are all significant cost drivers for tension-leg offshore wind platforms and spars. A new generation of vertical-load anchors or other novel concepts that are capable of handling the high loads found in tension-legs, that are adaptable to the variety of depths and seabed conditions found in an offshore wind farm, and that can be economically manufactured and deployed could lower survey, design, and installation costs. New pipe, wire, and synthetic rope tendon designs, connection methods and installation techniques can additionally help to lower floating wind farm total costs.

Grant applications are sought for new technologies that can provide low-cost, easily deployable mooring systems for floating offshore wind systems employing tension-leg platforms (TLPs) and tension-leg spars. Grant applications must: (1) demonstrate that the new proposed technology would allow for easily deployable, versatile, robust mooring systems for floating, tension-leg offshore wind platforms, and spars; and (2) demonstrate clear economic and technical advantages over the existing state of the art. DOE's Office of Science issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement on this topic on November 28, 2011. Letters of intent are due December 20, 2011.